Ladakh will have air connectivity within next 3 months: Rahul

Addressing a gathering on the first day of his two-day trip to Jammu and Kashmir, Gandhi said air connectivity was important for the people of Ladakh because on numerous occasions local people who fell sick could not be given best possible medical care in time because of its absence.

"Ladakh will have air connectivity within next three months," he told them.

Rahul said he had met Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh, who has promised that within next three months Kargil will have air connectivity, a Youth Congress press release said.

Almost half of the year, Ladakh remains cut off from the rest of the country. Locals have to face hardships and it becomes difficult to provide relief to them.

Rahul said that after the Zojila Tunnel, which would link Ladakh and Kargil with the whole nation, "another bigger tunnel would be constructed soon".

He said that he has already held a meeting with officials of the Planning Commission in this regard.

Earlier addressing a gathering at Leh, the Congress leader said the people of Ladakh would remain connected with the rest of India throughout the year once the all-weather Zojila and Z Morh tunnels are completed.

"I know this region needs development and we'll provide good roads, mobile telephony, education and an overall package of development...I want to provide connectivity to this region. We've already taken the first step by deciding to build Z-Morh and Zojila tunnels. Besides, what this region needs is education, good roads, promotion of tourism and good employment," he said.

Rahul said he had a briefing from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and that he was extremely happy about the work done by the Council for the rehabilitation of people after landslides.